The present research was designed to test whether 3-year-old-English-speaking children preferentially associate novel nouns with intrinsic motion rather than extrinsic motion, as predicted by the theory of Kersten (1998). Intrinsic motion refers to the ways the parts of an object move in relation to one another. In contrast, extrinsic motion refers to the motion of an object as a whole with respect to an external reference point (e.g. another object). In two separate experiments, we... Show moreThe present research was designed to test whether 3-year-old-English-speaking children preferentially associate novel nouns with intrinsic motion rather than extrinsic motion, as predicted by the theory of Kersten (1998). Intrinsic motion refers to the ways the parts of an object move in relation to one another. In contrast, extrinsic motion refers to the motion of an object as a whole with respect to an external reference point (e.g. another object). In two separate experiments, we demonstrated that nouns are associated with intrinsic motion and verbs are associated with extrinsic motion. Specifically, children were able to detect differences between stimuli paired with novel nouns based on intrinsic motion and stimuli paired with novel verbs based on extrinsic motion. In other words, we shed light on the different motion cues children attend to when learning nouns and verbs. Thus, children utilize motion cues in addition to static characteristics when learning nouns and verbs. Therefore, distinct types of motion information play an important role in the learning of nouns and verbs. Show less

This thesis examined the possibility of meaningful associations between children's attachment styles in middle childhood and children's perceptions of the parent. Participants were 199 students (94 males, 105 females) in grades three through eight (mean age = 11.03 years) from a Florida university school. The children were administered self-report measures and peer-report nomination measures. Five attachment coping strategies (preoccupied, indecisive, avoidant, coercive, and caregiving) and... Show moreThis thesis examined the possibility of meaningful associations between children's attachment styles in middle childhood and children's perceptions of the parent. Participants were 199 students (94 males, 105 females) in grades three through eight (mean age = 11.03 years) from a Florida university school. The children were administered self-report measures and peer-report nomination measures. Five attachment coping strategies (preoccupied, indecisive, avoidant, coercive, and caregiving) and four aspects of perceived maternal behavior (reliable support, overprotection, harassment, and fear induction) were assessed and numerous and meaningful associations were found. For example, perceived maternal overprotection was positively associated with preoccupied coping. Significant associations were also found between our avoidant, coercive, indecisive, and caregiving coping measures and perceived maternal reliable support, harassment, and fear induction. Our numerous and significant findings lend further support for the usefulness and value of our concurrent correlational self-report measures and to justify future longitudinal research to compare alternative models. Show less

Facial recognition memory is a specialized system in the human brain, with an effect of familiarity playing a role in the brain activations involved. Previous studies examining the familiar face processing system have used college-aged subjects. However, memory disorders, like those associated with Alzheimer's disease, typically affect adults over sixty. In an attempt to reveal possible differences between young and older adults', two different age groups were subjected to fMRI analysis while... Show moreFacial recognition memory is a specialized system in the human brain, with an effect of familiarity playing a role in the brain activations involved. Previous studies examining the familiar face processing system have used college-aged subjects. However, memory disorders, like those associated with Alzheimer's disease, typically affect adults over sixty. In an attempt to reveal possible differences between young and older adults', two different age groups were subjected to fMRI analysis while viewing face images with varying familiarity (family, famous and novel). The result showed a significant difference in activations for various cortical areas including the precuneus, cingulate cortex, and fusiform gyrus. Among the differences, an overall trend of greater activation in the left hemisphere for younger subjects compared to the older group was revealed. The results have implications for the study of memory disorders afflicting older adults, like Alzheimer's disease. Show less

An array of four motion quartets (stimuli for which either horizontal or vertical motion is perceived depending on quartet aspect ratio) is arranged in a diamond configuration such that two global motion patterns are formed: (1) Rotation---alternating counterclockwise and clockwise motion is perceived, and (2) Parallel path motion---the perceived motions of all the elements are simultaneously horizontal or simultaneously vertical. The perception of rotation resulted in global feedback that... Show moreAn array of four motion quartets (stimuli for which either horizontal or vertical motion is perceived depending on quartet aspect ratio) is arranged in a diamond configuration such that two global motion patterns are formed: (1) Rotation---alternating counterclockwise and clockwise motion is perceived, and (2) Parallel path motion---the perceived motions of all the elements are simultaneously horizontal or simultaneously vertical. The perception of rotation resulted in global feedback that biases the motion perceived for an individual component motion quartet to be more consistent with rotation than aspect ratio. Stronger rotation produced greater bias. Under certain conditions, the feedback-induced bias occurred even though global rotation was not perceived. The results were interpreted in the context of neurophysiological evidence regarding neurons in Areas MT and MSTd, and a dynamical theory of motion pattern formation (Hock, Schoner & Giese, 2003; Nichols, Hock & Schoner, 2006). Show less

This was an exploratory study of factors that predict individual differences in chemistry learning. Consistent with cognitive learning theory, working memory was assumed to be an important predictor of chemistry knowledge. Measures of chemistry affect, cognitive ability, demographics and mathematical ability were examined in relation to visual/schematic and algebra-like stoichiometry chemistry word problem solving ability and strategy use. 139 undergraduate students (91 females, 48 males) at... Show moreThis was an exploratory study of factors that predict individual differences in chemistry learning. Consistent with cognitive learning theory, working memory was assumed to be an important predictor of chemistry knowledge. Measures of chemistry affect, cognitive ability, demographics and mathematical ability were examined in relation to visual/schematic and algebra-like stoichiometry chemistry word problem solving ability and strategy use. 139 undergraduate students (91 females, 48 males) at a major Southeastern university participated in this study (Age ranged from 18 to 39 years (M = 20.70 years of age)). Perceived usefulness of the chemistry material, mathematical ability, GPA, and SGPA uniquely predicted conceptual stoichiometry problem solving ability. Show less

Linguistic theory predicts that speakers are equipped with universal sonority principles that restrict the structure of the syllable: onset clusters with sonority rises are preferred to onsets with plateaus, which are preferred to onsets with falling sonority (bn > bd > lb). We investigate the source of this preference in English, a language in which these sonority profiles are unattested. We gauged speakers' preferences for unattested onsets by examining their susceptibility to epenthetic... Show moreLinguistic theory predicts that speakers are equipped with universal sonority principles that restrict the structure of the syllable: onset clusters with sonority rises are preferred to onsets with plateaus, which are preferred to onsets with falling sonority (bn > bd > lb). We investigate the source of this preference in English, a language in which these sonority profiles are unattested. We gauged speakers' preferences for unattested onsets by examining their susceptibility to epenthetic repair. If English speakers are sensitive to onset structure, then onsets that are universally dispreferred should be more likely to elicit repair (e.g., lbif→lebif). Results from a syllable judgment task and an identity task support our predictions: onsets of rising sonority are perceived more accurately compared to onsets with sonority plateaus, which, in turn, are perceived more accurately compared to onsets with sonority falls. Our findings suggest that speakers are equipped with phonological preferences for sonority profiles that are unattested in their language. Show less

Eighteen rats were used to study two procedures for the extinction of discriminated avoidance. One group (OE) was placed on extinction defined by presenting shocks as programmed but independently of the S's responses, while the other group (CE) was placed on classical extinction defined by the removal of all shocks. The two procedures were compared in terms of rate of decline and terminal level of extinction performance. In addition, the two groups were placed on a discrimination reversal... Show moreEighteen rats were used to study two procedures for the extinction of discriminated avoidance. One group (OE) was placed on extinction defined by presenting shocks as programmed but independently of the S's responses, while the other group (CE) was placed on classical extinction defined by the removal of all shocks. The two procedures were compared in terms of rate of decline and terminal level of extinction performance. In addition, the two groups were placed on a discrimination reversal task in order to assess each procedure's effects on a new learning problem. The CE group reached a lower level of extinction performance in a fewer number of blocks than the OE Ss. Furthermore, the CE Ss were inferior to the OE Ss in terms of discrimination reversal performance as well. An interpretation of the results in terms of the removal and reinstatement of cues was offered although an alternative explanation relating to a change in the motivational states of the two groups during extinction was also presented. The interpretation in terms of the presence or absence of cues seemed to account for more of the present findings than the traditional one advocating changes in motivational levels resulting from the two divergent extinction operations. Show less

Twenty-six 75-day-old, ovariectomized Long-Evans female rats were randomly divided into two groups of ten and one group of six animals. The ten Group I Ss received, in consecutive treatment periods, 2 mg progesterone (P-2) daily, 2 mg testosterone propiorate (TP-2) daily, TP-2 daily plus P-2 every fourth day, and P-2 every fourth day. The ten Group II Ss received, in consecutive treatment periods, P-2 every fourth day, and 4 mg dihydrotestosterone (DHT-4) daily plus P-2 every fourth day. Both... Show moreTwenty-six 75-day-old, ovariectomized Long-Evans female rats were randomly divided into two groups of ten and one group of six animals. The ten Group I Ss received, in consecutive treatment periods, 2 mg progesterone (P-2) daily, 2 mg testosterone propiorate (TP-2) daily, TP-2 daily plus P-2 every fourth day, and P-2 every fourth day. The ten Group II Ss received, in consecutive treatment periods, P-2 every fourth day, and 4 mg dihydrotestosterone (DHT-4) daily plus P-2 every fourth day. Both Groups I and II were tested for female sexual behavior. A significant increase in the lordosis response was observed only in Group I Ss after receiving TP-2 plus P-2 every fourth day. Group III Ss were tested for male sexual behavior after receiving DHT-4 daily. Male sexual behavior increased significantly after DHT-4 treatments. It was concluded that progesterone exerts a facilitatory effect on female sexual behavior only when the Ss have been previously primed with an aromatizable androgen and that dihydrotestosterone is capable of inducing male sexual behavior in female rats. Show less

This paper reports on a project to compile educational and acculturational programs for migrant workers who were to be relocated in West Palm Beach through a family rehabilitation program, Rural New Town, Inc. The programs were developed under contract and represent the first compilation of migrant educational materials. Materials from every source were combined and through strict attention to the particular needs of the migrant population a comprehensive plan was created to direct the... Show moreThis paper reports on a project to compile educational and acculturational programs for migrant workers who were to be relocated in West Palm Beach through a family rehabilitation program, Rural New Town, Inc. The programs were developed under contract and represent the first compilation of migrant educational materials. Materials from every source were combined and through strict attention to the particular needs of the migrant population a comprehensive plan was created to direct the migrant and the administrator in the acculturation/education process. Show less

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in arousal reduction between males and females as a function of the sex of target and type of verbal counterresponse, during an interpersonal conflict. The independent variables were the sex of subject, sex of target and type of counterresponse. The dependent variable was the arousal reduction score. Twenty undergraduate males and twenty undergraduate females were used. Sex differences in arousal reduction for subjects counterresponding... Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate differences in arousal reduction between males and females as a function of the sex of target and type of verbal counterresponse, during an interpersonal conflict. The independent variables were the sex of subject, sex of target and type of counterresponse. The dependent variable was the arousal reduction score. Twenty undergraduate males and twenty undergraduate females were used. Sex differences in arousal reduction for subjects counterresponding to verbal aggression were found for sex of subject, sex of target and type of counterresponse. Male subjects showed significant arousal reduction only for the disagree counterresponse and females showed arousal reduction only for the agreed counterresponse. Significant arousal reduction occurred only when the subject disagreed with a male target and agreed with a female target. Show less

In the present experiment possible developmental differences in the timing of organization in children's free recall were examined. It was hypothesized that children who organize information at input would show a smaller decrement in recall as a result of delayed testing with related than with unrelated materials. If the categorical similarity among items is discovered at input, the resulting organizational scheme(s) would make the individual items more resistant to forgetting over time.... Show moreIn the present experiment possible developmental differences in the timing of organization in children's free recall were examined. It was hypothesized that children who organize information at input would show a smaller decrement in recall as a result of delayed testing with related than with unrelated materials. If the categorical similarity among items is discovered at input, the resulting organizational scheme(s) would make the individual items more resistant to forgetting over time. However, since no organizational scheme could be imposed upon unrelated items, many items would be lost as a result of delayed testing. This pattern of data was predicted only for junior high students and not for second and third graders. However, contrary to expectation, both the younger and older groups of subjects showed this pattern, indicating that children of both age groups organize categorically related information at input. The possibility of a semantic facilitative effect for the younger subjects was discussed. Show less

A category effect of alphanumeric characters in a visual search paradigm was examined to see whether the effect could be accounted for by the number of memory comparisons or by an early stage of perceptual processing. In Experiments 1 and 2, subjects searched for targets in either a within-category or between-category condition. The two experiments differed by the point in the trials where "catch trials" were presented. Experiment 3 used new configurations based on Gestalt principles which... Show moreA category effect of alphanumeric characters in a visual search paradigm was examined to see whether the effect could be accounted for by the number of memory comparisons or by an early stage of perceptual processing. In Experiments 1 and 2, subjects searched for targets in either a within-category or between-category condition. The two experiments differed by the point in the trials where "catch trials" were presented. Experiment 3 used new configurations based on Gestalt principles which had been shown to influence target detection times at an early level of perceptual processing. The results of Experiments 1 and 2 favored a perceptual explanation mediating the effect. In Experiment 3, the critical interaction of category and Gestalt factors which would have demonstrated a competition in perceptually parsing the display fell short of significance. Show less

Rats with lesions of the ventromedial aspect of the internal capsule in the vicinty of the entopeduncular nucleus (EP) showed a loss of forelimb placing (chin, contact and visual) in the contralateral limb. Spreading depression induced by instillation of KCl (25%) to the cortex contralateral to the lesion brought back placing in the affected limb and abolished placing in the normal limb. Within 24 hours the pre-spreading depression state returned and the impaired limb no longer placed while... Show moreRats with lesions of the ventromedial aspect of the internal capsule in the vicinty of the entopeduncular nucleus (EP) showed a loss of forelimb placing (chin, contact and visual) in the contralateral limb. Spreading depression induced by instillation of KCl (25%) to the cortex contralateral to the lesion brought back placing in the affected limb and abolished placing in the normal limb. Within 24 hours the pre-spreading depression state returned and the impaired limb no longer placed while the normal limb recovered function. In contrast, KCl on the ipsilateral cortex did not reinstate placing. These results suggest that the loss of placing following lesions of the EP are due to tonic inhibition from the cortex contralateral to the lesion. Sensory summation was evident during the early recovery period when placing was accomplished only if two kinds of stimuli were provided simultaneously. Forelimb placing recovered to its pre-lesion state. Show less

Sokolov's (1963) hypothesis of selective extinction of the orienting response accounts for the phenomenon of dishabituation by a discrepancy between immediate sensory input and a stored template of a habituated stimulus. The "oddball" stimulus procedure often used to elicit the P300 evoked potential waveform bears resemblance to a habituation-dishabituation paradigm. In the present experiment subjects were habituated to a 70 dB tone burst which was then occasionally replaced by 50, 60, 80 or... Show moreSokolov's (1963) hypothesis of selective extinction of the orienting response accounts for the phenomenon of dishabituation by a discrepancy between immediate sensory input and a stored template of a habituated stimulus. The "oddball" stimulus procedure often used to elicit the P300 evoked potential waveform bears resemblance to a habituation-dishabituation paradigm. In the present experiment subjects were habituated to a 70 dB tone burst which was then occasionally replaced by 50, 60, 80 or 90 dB stimuli. According to a selective extinction model of the P300, equal absolute amounts of stimulus change should evoke equal amplitude waveforms. While the decreased intensity stimuli did evoke a P300, the largest P300s were associated with an intensity increase. The N200 component was seen to be largest with intensity decrease. It is suggested that the N200 is the evoked potential correlate of discrepancy detection which can be obscured by an intensity-driven P300. Show less

To test the hypothesis that children know that certain toys are appropriate for their own sex before they indicate preferences for these toys, 128 boys and girls, aged two through five, were shown pictures of masculine, faninine, and neutral toys. First, subjects indicated their personal preferences (preference test). Second, subjects indicated which itans were more appropriate for their sex (stereotype test). There was no evidence for the hypothesis. In fact, children--especially boys-... Show moreTo test the hypothesis that children know that certain toys are appropriate for their own sex before they indicate preferences for these toys, 128 boys and girls, aged two through five, were shown pictures of masculine, faninine, and neutral toys. First, subjects indicated their personal preferences (preference test). Second, subjects indicated which itans were more appropriate for their sex (stereotype test). There was no evidence for the hypothesis. In fact, children--especially boys--displayed considerable sex-typed behavior in their toy preferences at an earlier age than they expressed awareness of which toys are appropriate for their own sex. This suggested that early sex-typed preferences result from something other than children's attempts to emulate same-sex stereotypes. A second hypothesis was that boys would show greater rejection of cross-sex toys than girls. This hypothesis also was rejected. Boys and girls showed equal rejection of cross-sex toys, but boys more frequently chose same-sex toys than girls did. Show less

Cognitive theorists hypothesize two types of cognitive processes (e.g., automatic and effortful) which may influence human information processing. This thesis investigates age differences in when children use intralist associative relationships (thought to be automatic in nature) to identify other (categorical) relations. Use of conceptual/ categorical relations to organize recall is thought to be effortful in nature. Sixty children each from grades 3, 5, 7, and 9 were presented orally with... Show moreCognitive theorists hypothesize two types of cognitive processes (e.g., automatic and effortful) which may influence human information processing. This thesis investigates age differences in when children use intralist associative relationships (thought to be automatic in nature) to identify other (categorical) relations. Use of conceptual/ categorical relations to organize recall is thought to be effortful in nature. Sixty children each from grades 3, 5, 7, and 9 were presented orally with lists of 20 words under free-recall instructions. Results provide support for the position that recall memory of young children is mediated primarily by associative rather than conceptual relationships. Also, partial support was obtained for the three stage model of the development of organization proposed by Bjorklund and Zeman (1982). However, the model's prediction of when children will optimally use associative relationships to identify categorized relations was inaccurate. These results indicate that older childrens' recall can be facilitated by automatic cognitive processes resulting in higher levels of clustering (organization) and recall. Show less

The principles of action identification theory are used to form a foundation for a dynamic approach to social interaction that may capture both stability and change in social judgments. Attributions of blame in an ambiguous rape case were explored through the presentation of transcribed interviews with either an alleged rapist (Larry) or his alleged victim (Jane), under either an induced high or low level of action identification, followed by one of two courtroom "closing arguments,"... Show moreThe principles of action identification theory are used to form a foundation for a dynamic approach to social interaction that may capture both stability and change in social judgments. Attributions of blame in an ambiguous rape case were explored through the presentation of transcribed interviews with either an alleged rapist (Larry) or his alleged victim (Jane), under either an induced high or low level of action identification, followed by one of two courtroom "closing arguments," attributing primary responsibility for the incident to either Larry or Jane. Responsibility judgments and personality trait ratings were obtained from each subject on both Larry and Jane. Action identification questionnaires for the Larry and Jane perspectives were administered to each participant. As predicted, compared to the high level subjects, subjects in the low level identity condition were more malleable in their judgments of either target. Implications and future research directions are discussed. Show less

A critical discrepancy in the self-evaluation literature concerns whether self-uncertainty leads to accurate or biased self-evaluations. After discussing the prior research which has rendered this discrepancy, I propose an experiment to reach a resolution to the discrepancy. Principles of action identification theory are used in proposing that the link between self-uncertainty and self-evaluation is moderated by the amount of evaluative threat inherent to the situation in which the self... Show moreA critical discrepancy in the self-evaluation literature concerns whether self-uncertainty leads to accurate or biased self-evaluations. After discussing the prior research which has rendered this discrepancy, I propose an experiment to reach a resolution to the discrepancy. Principles of action identification theory are used in proposing that the link between self-uncertainty and self-evaluation is moderated by the amount of evaluative threat inherent to the situation in which the self-evaluation is taking place. The experiment established that subjects who are induced to identify their actions in low level terms are more likely to exhibit biases when pursuing self-evaluations of their social ability, with the biases manifested in these subjects' preferences to be evaluated in non-diagnostic ways. The implications of this general finding and suggestions for further research are discussed. Show less

It was hypothesized that animals sensitized to the stereotyped behavioral effects of amphetamine would have a more difficult time developing tolerance to the hypophagic effect of the drug than nonsensitized animals. Although sensitized animals showed more intense stereotypy, they were not impaired in the development of tolerance, or in the amount of tolerance gained, thus showing a dissociation between these two variables. Differential sensitization was also shown to these effects. That is,... Show moreIt was hypothesized that animals sensitized to the stereotyped behavioral effects of amphetamine would have a more difficult time developing tolerance to the hypophagic effect of the drug than nonsensitized animals. Although sensitized animals showed more intense stereotypy, they were not impaired in the development of tolerance, or in the amount of tolerance gained, thus showing a dissociation between these two variables. Differential sensitization was also shown to these effects. That is, sensitized animals were not impaired on milk intake, whereas nonsensitized animals became more sensitive to the hypophagic effect of amphetamine. Further, it was found that animals sensitized to the stereotyped behavioral effects of the drug developed tolerance to this effect, and this tolerance was found to occur both in the presence and absence of milk. Show less

Three studies use interaction in groups to test macro-level phenomena of the type predicted by computer simulations of dynamic social impact theory, an interactive, reciprocal, and recursive extension of Latane's (1981) theory of social impact, which specifies how individuals are affected by their social environment. A key prediction of dynamic social impact theory is that such phenomena as clustering and polarization of attitudes will emerge from social interactions among spatially... Show moreThree studies use interaction in groups to test macro-level phenomena of the type predicted by computer simulations of dynamic social impact theory, an interactive, reciprocal, and recursive extension of Latane's (1981) theory of social impact, which specifies how individuals are affected by their social environment. A key prediction of dynamic social impact theory is that such phenomena as clustering and polarization of attitudes will emerge from social interactions among spatially distributed people. Study One, using a group of 24 people corresponding with their neighbors about an attitudinal topic, found both substantial polarization and a suggestive tendency toward clustering. Studies Two and Three, using 192 people organized into 48 24-person groups, provide strong empirical support for the emergence of clustering and incomplete polarization, and extend the findings to two alternative spatial structures. As predicted, a control geometry, involving random connections without any spatial organization, failed to produce clustering. Directions for future research are discussed. Show less